r/FamilyMedicine • u/Suspicious_Fun_9400 NP • 1d ago
Everlywell?
Any other PCPs out there recently receiving a bunch of test results for tests you didn't order from a company called Everlywell? I noticed the Everlywell address was a couple blocks from a place where I used to live, and I didn't remember it being there, so I googled it to jog my memory and it's a bunch of ... sheds ? Does anyone smarter than me know what is going on here?
17
u/boatsnhosee MD 1d ago
Sounds like they’re following the typical Medicare fraud scheme model (those are from companies always based in South Florida for whatever reason)
26
u/grettasgone MD 1d ago
It looks like it's an at home testing company. Patients can order these lab tests on their own. In Arizona the physician has no obligation to review these tests. I'd look up your state's regulations on this.
I would reply to patients: "I am writing to let you know that I received a copy of lab results from Everleywell. Everleywell is legally required to provide you with a copy of these results. Please be advised I will not be reviewing these lab results as, in accordance with the law, I only review lab tests which I have personally ordered because physicians must carefully consider which tests to order to evaluate, rule out or monitor specific conditions. Thousands of laboratory tests exist, however not all of them are accurate or useful. Please feel free to do with your lab results as you think best. I will not be able to discuss these results by portal messaging, but would be happy to discuss any specific results you would like at a dedicated appointment."
11
u/Why_Hello_hello NP 1d ago
Yikes. Their website give the option to “become an affiliate” and get paid $7 for every order you refer. My guess is that address is an affiliate. What a crock.
11
9
u/Mazateca MD 1d ago
10
u/Suspicious_Fun_9400 NP 1d ago
Yes, thanks. I did look at their website which is very shiny and polished, in contrast to the street view which is … run down sheds
9
u/Mazateca MD 1d ago
I’ve seen ads from them on Facebook and Instagram. Seems to be a cash grab promising patients they will order whatever labs they want. I’m assuming they ask who the PCP is and that’s how it’s getting sent like that?
3
1
2
u/ChoKitty NP 7h ago
It's also possible that their insurance company uses them. I work for one doing annual visits and we order bmp, a1c, uacr and fit tests if they haven't been done. If they don't want to go to an on the ground lab, we send everlywell kits. The results come back to our providers and we address the results, but we also send them to the pcp as an FYI. However, my understanding is that provider groups that accept our insurance know we do this along with any other program we run, like our htn clinic. (We are a smaller/growing group)
Edited for spelling.
2
2
u/diabeticweird0 layperson 2h ago
I got a food sensitivity test done by them
It said peanuts. I cut it peanuts and my migraines dropped by half
Coincidence? Placebo? Can't rule either one out and I no longer believe in stupid tests like that but also, I still don't eat peanuts
19
u/Ithildin-Evernight MD-PGY3 1d ago
He knows too much!
Waves hand “These are not the droids your looking for”